Support for a bicycle type seat

Abstract

A support for a bicycle type seat provides a pair of brackets depending from the seat structure and clamped to opposite sides of a rigid block having a post receiving hole therethrough for freely receiving a seat supporting post. A sidewall of the post receiving hole is recessed to provide a pair of impact ridges extending parallel to the axis of the hole. Post clamping bolts are provided to screw through the block against a seat supporting post in the hole to force the post against the ridges and embed the same into the post, whereby a post within a wide range of diameters can be positively secured against rotation within the hole. A tubular reinforcement having an axially extending expansion slit may be forced axially into a tubular seat supporting post to prevent a collapse of the latter when forced against the impact ridges. Also preferably the block is provided with bolt receiving holes forwardly and rearwardly of the post receiving hole for passage of bolts that clamp the depending brackets to the block. One of the bolt receiving holes curves about the axis of the bolt within the other bolt receiving hole to enable pivotal adjustment of the brackets and seat about the latter axis.

We claim: 
     
       1. In a support having self adjusting means for mounting bicycle type seats on conventional seat supporting posts within a broad range of diameters, the combination of a pair of depending brackets, a rigid block spacing said brackets, means for clamping said brackets securely against the sides of said block, said block having a post receiving hole therein, the sidewall of said hole having channel means therein extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said hole, said channel means intersecting the sidewall of said hole at a pair of impact ridges parallel to said axis, and means for forcing a seat supporting post out of axial alignment with respect to said hole and against said ridges to embed the latter into said post comprising bolt means in screw threaded engagement with said block and extending from the exterior thereof into said hole in opposition to said channel means. 
     
     
       2. The combination according to claim 1, said brackets having confronting surfaces spaced by said block, said block having opposite lateral surfaces parallel to and clamped between said confronting surfaces by said means for clamping, said post receiving hole opening at the underside of said block for receiving an upper end of a seat supporting post, said block having forward and rearward bolt receiving holes extending therethrough and located forwardly and rearwardly respectively of said post receiving hole, said means for clamping comprising a pair of bolts extending through said brackets and bolt receiving holes, one of said bolts in one of said bolt receiving holes providing a pivot axis for pivotal adjustment of said block, the other of said bolt receiving holes having a portion curving about said pivot axis to enable said adjustment. 
     
     
       3. The combination according to claim 2, means for confining said block against forward and rearward movement comprising forwardly facing and rearwardly facing portions of said block engaging said bolts respectively in said forward and rearward bolt receiving holes, and said forward and rearward bolt receiving holes also opening forwardly and rearwardly respectively for passage of said bolts to and from their respective bolt receiving holes from the exterior of said block to enable removal of said block from said brackets upon the removal of only one of said bolts from its bolt receiving hole. 
     
     
       4. The combination according to claim 3, and means for resisting collapse of a tubular seat supporting post within said post receiving hole when said bolt means is tightened to force said post against said ridges comprising a tubular reinforcement having an axially extending expansion slit therein and dimensioned for insertion axially into the tubular post at an interference fit. 
     
     
       5. The combination according to claim 4, said block comprising a solid hard material throughout its extent between its lateral surfaces except for screw threaded holes therein for said bolt means, said post receiving and bolt receiving holes, and said channel. 
     
     
       6. The combination according to claim 2, and means for resisting collapse of a tubular seat supporting post within said post receiving hole when said bolt means is tightened to force said post against said ridges comprising a tubular reinforcement having an axially extending expansion slit therein and dimensioned for insertion axially into the tubular post at an interference fit. 
     
     
       7. The combination according to claim 1, and means for resisting collapse of a tubular seat supporting post within said post receiving hole when said bolt means is tightened to force said post against said ridges comprising a tubular reinforcement having an axially extending expansion slit therein and dimensioned for insertion axially into the tubular post at an interference fit. 
     
     
       8. The combination according to claim 1, and in addition a tubular seat supporting post freely insertable axially into said post receiving hole, and means for resisting collapse of said post when the latter is forced against said ridges by said bolt means comprising a tubular reinforcement extending axially within said tubular post throughout the region thereof engageable by said bolt means, said reinforcement having an axially extending expansion slit therein, the exterior of said reinforcement conforming closely to the interior of said tubular post at an interference fit. 
     
     
       9. The combination according to claim 8, said support being symmetrical with respect to a vertical midplane and said brackets having confronting surfaces spaced by said block and parallel to said midplane, said block having opposite lateral surfaces parallel to and clamped between said confronting surfaces by said means for clamping, said post receiving hole having a central axis in said midplane and opening at the underside of said block for receiving an upper end of said seat supporting post, said block having forward and rearward bolt receiving holes extending transversely therethrough normally to said midplane and located forwardly and rearwardly respectively of said post receiving hole, said means for clamping comprising a pair of bolts extending transversely through said brackets and bolt receiving holes, one of said bolts in one of said bolt receiving bolt holes providing a pivot axis for pivotal adjustment of said block, the other of said bolt receiving holes having an arcuate portion for enabling said adjustment. 
     
     
       10. The combination according to claim 9, said bolts in said forward and rearward bolt receiving holes engaging forwardly facing and rearwardly facing portions respectively of said block for confining said block against forward and rearward movement, and said forward and rearward bolt receiving holes also opening forwardly and rearwardly respectively for passage of said bolts to and from their respective bolt receiving holes from the exterior of said block to enable removal of said block from said brackets upon the removal of only one of said bolts from its bolt receiving hole. 
     
     
       11. The combination according to claim 10, said block comprising a solid hard material throughout its extent between its lateral surfaces except for screw threaded holes therein for said bolt means, said post receiving and bolt receiving holes, and said channel means.